Integrated Reporting Quality Research Articles

Textual Dimensions of Sustainability Information, Stock Price Informativeness, and Proprietary Costs: Evidence from Integrated Reports

We examine whether integrated report quality, IRQ, is negatively associated with stock price synchronicity, an inverse measure of firm-specific information, and the extent to which the relation between IRQ and synchronicity is attenuated by proprietary costs. We measure IRQ using machine-based textual analysis along four dimensions: textual attributes, topical content, integrated reporting capitals, and financial versus sustainability information. We find that measures of IRQ based on seven textual attributes are negatively related to synchronicity, which is consistent with higher quality text containing more firm-specific content. Using PhraseLDA to identify topics in integrated reports, we find that contents related to the three most common categories—governance, performance, and risks and opportunities—are negatively associated with synchronicity. We find similar results for all integrated report capitals, except manufactured capital. Further, we find that sustainability information has a larger negative association with synchronicity than financial information. We also find that proprietary costs stemming from product market competition attenuate the association between IRQ and synchronicity, which suggests the informativeness of integrated reports varies with a firm’s competitive environment. Our results may inform the International Sustainability Standards Board as it considers the role of the Integrated Reporting Framework in developing sustainability standards.

A study of mediating and moderating effects on the relationship between audit quality and integrated reporting quality among Jordanian firms

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to investigate the link between external audit quality and integrated reporting (IR) quality in the Jordanian market, a developing market. Furthermore, the research model considers the mediating effect of earnings management practices and the moderating effect of board gender diversity. As a result, it intends to provide further empirical evidence in this area.Design/methodology/approachThis research investigates its model using data from Jordanian services companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) during the period 2013–2022. With 430 company-year observations, the current research’s sample includes all companies in the research population for which complete data were available during the period under investigation. Data relevant to the research setting were obtained from annual disclosures and the ASE's database.FindingsThe findings of this research show that audit firm size and audit firm specialty have a positive influence on IR quality, but audit firm tenure does not. External audit quality (as proxied by the size, specialty and turnover of the audit firm) had a negative impact on earnings management practices, while earnings management practices had a negative impact on IR quality. Additionally, the findings reveal that earnings management practices completely mediate the relationship between two external audit quality proxies (audit firm size and audit firm specialty) and IR quality. Furthermore, in terms of the moderating impact of board gender diversity, it is obvious that board gender diversity favorably moderates the relationships between all external audit quality proxies and IR quality.Originality/valueUsing agency theory and stakeholder theory, this investigation fills a gap in previous literature by adding scientific explanations and empirical evidence from the Jordanian market, a developing market, in the context of the impact of audit quality on IR quality, mediated by earnings management and moderated by board gender diversity.

The effects of integrated reporting quality: a meta-analytic review

PurposeThe effects of integrated reporting quality (IRQ) have been debated in increasing empirical studies. Several IRQ measures, different theoretical approaches and multiple contexts have been adopted and investigated, leading to mixed results. By using the meta-analytic technique, this study aims to contribute to the accounting literature, reconciling the conflicting results on the effects of IRQ and providing objective conclusions to complement narrative literature reviews.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 45 empirical papers from 2013 to 2022, with 653 effect sizes, was used to assess the effects associated with IRQ. The papers were clustered into five groups (market reaction, financial performance, cost of capital, financial analysts’ properties and managerial decisions) based on the different consequences of IRQ investigated in the primary studies. A random-effects meta-regression model was used to explore all sources of heterogeneity together.FindingsThe meta-regression results confirm that IRQ positively influences firms’ market valuation and financial performance and hampers opportunistic managerial behaviour by improving corporate transparency, mitigating information asymmetry and encouraging accountability. Moreover, differences in the study characteristics affect the strength of the relationship object of interest.Originality/valueThrough meta-analysis, this study provides a broader overview of the effects of IRQ by enhancing the generalisability of the findings. The results also pave the way for additional evidence on the outcome variables affected by the quality of integrated disclosure.

Ownership structure and integrated reporting quality: empirical evidence from an emerging market

Purpose This paper aims to explore the role of ownership structure on integrated reporting quality (IRQ) in an emerging market. Design/methodology/approach This study includes a sample consisting of 64 firms from Bursa Malaysia, with 173 firm-year observations from 2017 to 2020. Feasible Generalised Least Square model has been used to test the hypotheses. Findings The findings show that government ownership has a positive effect on IRQ and that the integrated reports and <IR> framework are well aligned. Foreign ownership influences IRQ positively. However, the results did not support the effect of family ownership on IRQ as hypothesised. Practical implications The findings of this research hold practical implications for companies and regulators in Malaysia. The results demonstrate to investors that both government and foreign ownership have a positive impact on IRQ. Therefore, investors can make well-informed investment decisions regarding companies with a high level of government or foreign ownership. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to explore the effect of ownership structure on IRQ in the Malaysian context.

The moderating role of board gender diversity on the association between audit committee attributes and integrated reporting quality

PurposeThe main objective of the research is to examine the influence of audit committee attributes on the integrated reporting quality (IRQ) and to investigate whether this association is moderated by board gender diversity in the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors. The study specifically investigates the association between audit committee independence, meetings frequency, financial expertise, audit committee size, and integrated reporting quality.Design/methodology/approachThe data collection was from the financial statements and corporate governance reports of 54 Egyptian firms listed on the stock market [EGX100] for the period of 2018–2022. The study used pooled effect modelling and performed data analysis using the STATA software.FindingsFor the manufacturing sector, the results showed a significant impact of audit committee independence and meetings frequency on IRQ, while audit committee size and financial expertise showed insignificant association with IRQ. Board gender diversity moderates the association between audit committee meetings only and IRQ. In contrast, audit committee financial expertise and meetings frequency significantly impact IRQ, while audit committee independence and size showed an insignificant impact on IRQ in the non-manufacturing sector. Also, board gender diversity moderates the association between audit committee and IRQ. The findings highlight the significance of AC attributes and provide guidance to firms to strengthen their audit committees in order to provide high quality of integrated reports to increase investor trust in the Egyptian business environment as it is now mandatory by the government.Originality/valueThis research offers unique perspectives on the association between variables in Egypt. This study is one of the first investigations on the impact of audit committee attributes and board diversity on integrated reporting quality within the context of Egyptian listed companies. Comprehending the ways in which audit committee attributes impact the integrated reporting quality in the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors can enable organizations to devise focused approaches that comply to the unique operational, regulatory, and investor demands in each sector.

Does Integrated Report Quality Matter for Supplier Financing?

ABSTRACT This study examines the relationship between integrated report quality (IRQ) and supplier financing using 603 firm-year observations from firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) between 2011 and 2021. We find that IRQ has a positive association with supplier financing, indicating that firms with higher IRQ are more likely to attract increased supplier finance. This positive IRQ-supplier financing relationship is further intensified by lower information asymmetry, implying that firms’ information environment plays a pivotal role. Mediation analysis indicates that information asymmetry and creditworthiness serve as underlying channels through which IRQ affects supplier financing. The IRQ-supplier financing interaction is also found to increase firms’ value. The study’s findings are crucial for stakeholders, such as report preparers, regulators, policymakers, the IIRC, IASB, ISSB, and JSE. These findings highlight IRQ’s importance in enhancing supplier finance and indicate further steps to enhance IRQ for fostering financial stability and sustainable development worldwide. Data Availability: All data are publicly available from the sources mentioned in the paper. JEL Classifications: G32; M41; M42.

The effect of CSR and corporate ethical behavior on implicit cost of equity: the mediating role of integrated reporting quality

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and corporate ethical behavior on implicit cost of equity (COE) using integrated reporting quality (IRQ) as a mediating variable in European companies belonging to the environmental, social and governance (ESG) index. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a panel data set of 540 European firms from the ESG index from 2013 to 2022. The data were collected from I/B/E/S and Thomson Reuters ASSET4 database and analyzed using the structural equation model to test hypotheses. Findings In the instance of ESG European firms, the findings indicate that CSR practices and corporate ethical behavior are negatively related to the COE. From the result of the Sobel test, this study indicated that IRQ has only indirect mediation on the relationship between CSR, ethical behavior of the company and implicit COE. Practical implications The findings have some policy and practical implications that may help regulators and managers in improving the COE and helping companies envision their future growth opportunities in a context where responsibility, ethics and disclosure are central to corporate valuation. Using the implicit COE is a better estimate of shareholder requirements in the context of ESG companies. Originality/value This research concentrates on ESG companies since they are more likely to contribute to environmental protection, which attracts responsible investors. Furthermore, the findings may be useful to worldwide managers and investors who use responsible practices as a criterion in their decision-making.

Unveiling the link between female directors’ attributes, ownership concentration, and integrated reporting strategy in Malaysia

In response to the reform in the Malaysian market that requires all publicly listed companies (PLCs) to have at least one female director on the board, this study examines how female directors’ attributes (FDAs) shape integrated reporting quality (IRQ) and assesses the potential influence of substantial shareholders on the FDA–IRQ nexus. Using all Malaysian PLCs implementing the integrated reporting from 2017 to 2021, our analysis yields four key findings. First, a positive relationship exists between the presence of a Muslim female director and IRQ. Second, female directors with financial expertise and those with higher education positively impact IRQ. Third, the holding of multiple directorships by female directors is negatively linked to IRQ, and the length of their tenure shows no significant effect. Fourth, the relationship between FDAs and IRQ is more pronounced in contexts with a greater ownership concentration. These results remain robust after rigorous analysis and mitigating for potential biases. Our findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers interested in understanding the implications of gender diversity and IRQ in emerging markets.

Impact of Corporate Governance Characteristics on Integrated Reporting Quality: An Empirical Analysis, Evidence from India

The research on integrated reporting (IR) has grown swiftly over the past decade, and specific attention is given to the disclosure quality of IR information across the globe. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between board characteristics and integrated reporting quality. The analysis selected 46 Indian listed companies with 138 firm-year observations over three years. The study found a positive impact of board size, CEO duality, non-executive board members, financial leverage, the COVID-19 crisis and firm size on IR quality. The study found a negative effect of gender diversity, board activity and profitability on IR quality. This study is the first to examine the effect of board features on the implementation and adoption of IR in the Indian context. Moreover, the study offers key insights for researchers, practitioners, accounting bodies, government agencies, investors and policymakers into the use of integrated reporting and sound decision-making.

The Effect of Female Directors, Board Size, Independent Commissioners, and Political Connections on Tax Avoidance With Integrated Reporting Quality as a Mediating Variable: Case Study of Non-Cyclical Consumer Goods Sector Companies Listed on Idx 2019-2022

The Effect of Female Directors, Board Size, Independent Commissioners, and Political Connections on Tax Avoidance With Integrated Reporting Quality as a Mediating Variable: Case Study of Non-Cyclical Consumer Goods Sector Companies Listed on Idx 2019-2022

Capital market effects of integrated reporting quality: evidence from South African context

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the interplay between integrated reporting quality (IRQ) and capital markets. More specifically, the authors test the impact of IRQ on stock liquidity, cost of capital and analyst forecast accuracy. Design/methodology/approach The sample consists of listed firms on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in South Africa, covering the period from 2012 to 2020. The IRQ measure used in this study is based on data from Ernst and Young. To test the proposed hypotheses, the authors conducted a generalized least squares regression analysis. Findings The empirical results evince a positive relationship between IRQ and stock liquidity. However, the authors did not find a significant effect of IRQ on the cost of capital and financial analysts’ forecast accuracy. In robustness tests, it was shown that firms with a higher IRQ score exhibit higher liquidity and improved analyst forecast accuracy. Additional analysis indicates a negative association between IRQ and the cost of capital, as well as a positive association between IRQ and financial analyst forecast accuracy for firms with higher IRQ scores (TOP ten, Excellent, Good). Originality/value The study stands as one of the initial endeavors to investigate the impact of IRQ on the capital market. It provides valuable insights for managers and policymakers who are interested in enhancing disclosure practices within the financial market. Furthermore, these findings are significant for investors as they make informed investment decisions.

The impact of audit committee attributes on integrated reporting quality: evidence from European companies listed on the STOXX Europe 600 index

PurposeThis paper aims to shed light on the relationship between audit committee attributes and integrated reporting quality (IRQ).Design/methodology/approachData on a sample of 360 European firms selected from the STOXX Europe 600 index between 2010 and 2021 were used to test the model based on multiple regression for panel data to analyze the effect of audit committee attributes on IRQ. This paper considers generalized least squares (GLS) estimation for panel data models.FindingsThe findings of this study confirm expectations concerning the impact of audit committee attributes on the IRQ. Indeed, audit committee independence and meetings have a significant positive impact on IRQ. However, no significant association is found between financial expertise and IRQ.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper have significant implications for policymakers, who, through proper legislation, should encourage the formation of larger audit committees and ones with a higher percentage of independent members. They should also establish a minimum number of audit committee meetings per year. These regulations, which aim to increase the efficacy of audit committees’ supervisory and monitoring tasks, would promote corporate transparency and improve IRQ.Originality/valueThis study supports the existing literature. First, it expands the scientific debate on IRQ. Second, unlike previous studies, which used more subjective methods to measure the degree of integrated reporting (IR), this study relied on the CGVS variable from the DataStream ASSET 4 Database. Third, the research is novel because it indicates the crucial role of internal assurance mechanisms in wide managerial reporting practices in European companies. The sample consisted of European firms only, whereas previous studies used a global sample. Finally, this study is based on recent data (2010–2021), while other studies covered the period between 2008 and 2013.

Measuring the integrated reporting quality in Europe: balanced scorecard perspectives

Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate the adoption and quality of integrated reports in the European Union (EU). Design/methodology/approach The sample consists of 147 listed firms from the 18 EU countries during 2013–2020. This study creates a disclosure index – based on the balanced scorecard (BSC) that reflects the information content of integrated reports. The content analysis method is used to measure the integrated reporting quality (IRQ). Findings The findings demonstrate that the IRQ increased across the study’s time frame, going from 49.3% in 2013 to 77% in 2020. Furthermore, financial disclosures still get the most attention in the integrated reporting (IR), followed by learning and growth perspective disclosures. In addition, businesses in the financial and industrial sectors rely more on integrated reports. However, the utility sector has the highest IRQ score. By country, Spain has the highest rate of IR adoption, followed by France. Other countries, such as Austria and Hungary, have only implemented IR by one company each. Research limitations/implications This study adds to the IR literature a new approach to measure IRQ by linking BSC with the IR framework. Empirically, businesses of any size can use this method to assess the degree of balance between the revealed financial and nonfinancial information in their reports. Practical implications Empirically, this study helps IR practitioners in determining how widely IR is used in Europe and in updating the database on the IR website. It helps them update and improve the IR framework by identifying the elements that have the least transparency and quality, investigating the causes and enhancing them. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the IRQ in EU countries by linking the BSC with IR elements. This is to split the elements into their own pillars, making it easier to track disclosure and evaluate the corporations’ interest in revealing these perspectives, on their own and collectively.

CEO tenure, board monitoring and competitive corporate culture: how do they influence integrated reporting?

PurposeThis study aims to explore the association between chief executive officer (CEO) tenure and the quality of information disclosed through integrated reporting quality (IRQ), which combines financial and non-financial data. The authors also investigate how formal (e.g. board independence and gender diversity) and informal (e.g. corporate culture) governance mechanisms influence this association. By analysing these factors, the authors expect to provide valuable insights on the impact of CEO tenure and governance structures on the comprehensive nature of integrated reporting.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a sample of the top 200 Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)-listed companies from 2015 to 2019. IRQ is measured through levels of compliance with the integrated reporting (IR) framework proposed by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). The hypotheses are tested using multiple regression analyses.FindingsThe authors find that CEO tenure is negatively associated with IRQ. Furthermore, CEO tenure has a more positive influence on IRQ in the early CEO tenure years than later ones. The authors' study finds that the association between CEO tenure and IRQ is insignificant when firms have a high level of monitoring, as measured by board independence and gender diversity. The authors also document that competitive corporate culture moderates the negative association between CEO tenure and IRQ.Originality/valueThe authors' study highlights the significant impact of internal formal and informal governance mechanisms on disclosure practices in Australia's voluntary IR environment. By shedding light on these factors, the authors' research enhances understanding of Australian companies' IR practices and offers valuable insights for scholars, policymakers and practitioners in the field.

Board characteristics and integrated reporting in an emerging market: evidence from India

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the influence of board characteristics on the integrated reporting quality (IRQ) of Indian-listed companies.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a sample of 197 firms from the BSE 500 for the years 2017–2018 to 2019–2020. The proposed hypotheses are tested using two-stage least squares regression.FindingsThe study documents a positive influence of board size, board independence and gender diversity on IRQ. The study also finds that board activity and role duality are insignificant with IRQ. Among the firm-specific characteristics, variables such as firm size, profitability and capital intensity positively influence IRQ.Originality/valueThe current study presents the first investigation in the context of India on the various board characteristics influencing IRQ. The study reiterates the role that gender-diverse boards have in improving information transparency. Policymakers can therefore drive adoption by recommending changes in board characteristics and increasing the quota for women on boards.

Does Audit Committee Influence Integrate Reporting Quality? Empirical Evidence from Emerging Market

Integrated reporting is the latest novelty in the corporate reporting field. An integrated report represents and clarifies the financial and non-financial performance of the company, environment, society, and governance, and helps in compiling information that are appropriate with the performance and impact of the company to give a clear and comprehensive picture of the opportunities and risks that may face the company that leads to the creation of value (IIRC, 2021). IR involves merging non-financial and financial information in the corporate annual report which provides investors and stakeholders a holistic picture of management's view on sustainability initiatives, governance, social, and economic (Ahmed Haji & Anifowose, 2016; Churet & Eccles, 2014; Darus et al., 2019; Hamad et al., 2020). Furthermore, IR is often known to be a higher quality reporting that establishes ties between a company's societal, environmental, and economic aspects (Adhariani & de Villiers, 2019; Dilling & Caykoylu, 2019; Qaderi et al., 2021; Stubbs & Higgins, 2014; Vitolla et al., 2020). Previous studies have extensively investigated IR adoption (Darus et al., 2019; Ghani et al., 2018; Hamad et al., 2020; Masduki & Mohd Zaid, 2019; Qaderi et al., 2021; 2022). However, there are limited papers investigating the IR quality (IRQ) in Malaysia. Due to this considerable gap in the research, it is vital to investigate the main factors that can explain the quality of integrated reporting in Malaysia. Studies by Alzeban (2020) and Hassan et al (2019) show that audit committee contributes to corporate reporting quality due to its significant role in internal control mechanism of a company. Therefore, the objective of this research is to investigate the influence of audit committee characteristics on integrated reporting quality. Keywords: Integrated reporting quality, audit committee, Malaysia

A closer look at integrated reporting quality: a systematic review and agenda of future research

PurposeThis paper aims to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the quality of integrated reports (IR) and highlight the gaps in the existing research to provide directions and suggestions for future research.Design/methodology/approachThis study was conducted through a systematic literature review using content analysis based on 40 papers from the Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCOhost databases on IR quality. While reading the full-text papers, the authors found six additional papers referenced by the literature being reviewed that were relevant to IR quality. Thus, there were 46 papers in the final review. The analysis begins with the definition and dimension of IR quality and theoretical lenses. Furthermore, this study outlines constructs or variables used in the previous literature.FindingsThe authors found that most studies used the quantitative method (41 papers or 89%). Five papers in the literature used qualitative methods (11%). Most researchers (34 papers or 72%) defined IR quality as consistent with the International Integrated Reporting Council framework, specifically the eight content elements. In particular, with the constructs that make up the quality of the IR, variations between researchers were found. Furthermore, there were some gaps that could be the directions for future research.Research limitations/implicationsThe literature that provides academic knowledge about IR quality is still limited, and research on IR is still growing. The literature review conducted by this study can provide an overview of the current research positions on the quality of IR and directions for future research in this area.Practical implicationsThis study intends to show corporate executives a framework demonstrating the quality of corporate reporting. It can impact not only investors as a specific stakeholder group but also other stakeholder groups.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first literature review to examine the quality of IR, thus providing a map of current research to suggest directions for future research. Most of the previous literature reviews have been focused on integrated reporting (IR) in general and not quality.

Does corporate governance improve integrated reporting quality? A meta-analytical investigation

Purpose The relationships between integrated reporting quality (IRQ) and corporate governance characteristics have been studied extensively, but the results are still inconclusive and, sometimes, contradictory. The purpose of this paper is to systematize the results of previously published studies on the relationship between corporate governance and IRQ. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses several complementary theoretical perspectives (agency, stakeholder and signaling theory). The relevant aspects of the corporate governance system are the attributes and composition of the board, the existence of a social responsibility committee, the quality of the audit committee, integrated report assurance and ownership structures. The sample consisted of 61 papers published in top journals between 2015 and 2021. Meta-analytic procedures were applied on bivariate and partial correlations between IRQ and the identified corporate governance characteristics. Findings The results confirm that director independence, the existence of a social responsibility committee, institutional ownership and the hiring of a Big 4 auditor are significantly correlated with IRQ. On the other hand, board gender diversity, audit committee independence and dedicated assurance have a positive but nonsignificant impact on IRQ. Chairperson-chief executive officer duality does not seem to impact report quality, while ownership concentration has a negative but nonsignificant impact on IRQ. Research limitations/implications Future research can improve the measurement of focal indicators by using a common set of variables for comparability, favoring disaggregate measures of corporate governance and updating the measurement of some indicators. Future research could also propose new indicators in the area of corporate governance and expand the theoretical domain of IRQ research. Originality/value The findings emphasize the need to explicitly consider the role of corporate governance structures and arrangements in improving IRQ. Through meta-analysis, the paper aims to provide a comprehensive and generalizable set of findings, suggesting that corporate governance indicators cannot be overlooked as predictors of integrated reporting.

CORPORATE SPECIFIC DETERMINANTS AND INTEGRATED REPORTING QUALITY: EVIDENCE FROM BSE 500 COMPANIES

In the corporate reporting movement, Integrated Reporting (IR) is the most recent evolution which is seen as a proficient elucidation to the apprehensions and constraints of customary economic reporting. This study purports to ascertain the degree of compliance of IR with IIRF and the impact of corporate specific determinants on integrated reporting quality (IRQ) in the top energy sector companies of India. The results demonstrate that the overall effect of the corporate specific determinants on IR quality is positively significant. However, at an individual level only size of the company and its ownership structure positively and significantly influence the IRQ of the sample companies.

Integrated reporting quality and sustainability performance: does firms' environmental sensitivity matter?

PurposeThis study examines the effect of the environmental sensitivity of firms on the relationship between integrated reporting (IR) quality and sustainability performance. Prior research works focus on the nexus between IR quality and sustainability performance with little attention to factors that moderate this relationship.Design/methodology/approachOrdinary least squares (OLS) and other robust estimations are employed to analyse the data of firms on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).FindingsThis study finds a positive association between IR quality and sustainability performance. However, the strength of this relationship is found to be weaker among environmentally sensitive firms, thereby raising concerns that such firms may be reporting less sustainability information with the mandatory implementation of IR on the JSE.Practical implicationsThe findings highlight the need for regulatory bodies to consider additional sustainability disclosure requirements for firms in environmentally sensitive industries.Social implicationsThe findings should make regulatory bodies aware of the possible actions of environmentally sensitive firms in relation to sustainability information within a mandatory setting of IR.Originality/valueThe study extends the existing literature on IR and sustainability performance by considering the effect of firm environmental sensitivity as a moderating factor.